Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-16


clude in its operation men. There was not q
prominent labor advocate in the country who
ever seriously considered the advisaoiiity OF
making a ten-hour law to apply 10 men.
The two greatest writers upon this supper
labor observation-disclosures Gunton and Dr.
HAYES, say that such a law, if passed oy
any State, will be a deadly blow to the IN
dustries of that State, and would De suicida'.
He discussed the affirmative of two PROPOSE
tions-frst. that ten-hour law similar u
that presented by the majority would pro-
mote the business interests of the State !;
second, that a ten-hour law will promote the
moral and material improvement of the Ia
boring men.
Mr.. Manley of Augusta said that England
was the first great industrial country of mod
arn times, and We were but following in her
footsteps in this matter. He reviewed the
legislation of the British govesnment looking
toward the correction of the great evils
existing in fuctory lite; and also the legiss-
ZION of the States of the Union having IN
view the same object. Discussing the many
objections 10 the character of leeisla ion. he
said hist so far as it relates 10 children IT Is
oothiup more than a needed interference of
The State in behalf of the most helpless por-
lion of the community. He declared that TO
hose who maintain that factory laws inter-
fere to an unwarraptable extent with the
rights of contract, and that adult men and
women know what is for their interest better
than any set of lsw-givers, it may be reJoineo
that il makes no difference how clearly man
knows what is for his interest, II conse-
Quences compel him to close with any con-
tract offered him. " hich is the case OF the Or
binary laborer.
He believed that factory legislation is Jnsil-
fed as fair response to demand Tor pro-
lection on the part of the helpless classes of
the community, and as an essential move
ment in the interests of society as ~hole'
In his Judgment the measure introduced by
the majority of the committee would serve
to correct in a very large degree the abuses
which the Indifferent parent and the avari-
cious manufacturer would lay upon innocent
childhood and the unfortunate poor. In
view of the past history of the republican
party, the party that made the country what
| it is, he thought it became that party to see
that every effort is made to improve and bet
ter the condition Of the wage earners OF this
land. That party must not forget that It's
career is the matchtess history of broad pop
ular movement.
Mr.. Condor of Friendship favored the
| Looney bill for several reasons. In the first
place its constitutionality is unquestioned;
while if men were included in it there would
probably be decision from out courts that
1t is unconstitutional, because we have no
right to pass laws to take away the liberty to
pass contracts. He wonld like to see, how
ever. the age Is, instead of -, at which
children are allowed to eLter factories and
mills. He though section was fair, but re
duced to an idea it simply means that there
shall be no more strikes; and though he
| should be glad to see the time come when
we should have no more strikes, there are
times when they are the only means by which
laborers can wiring from hard hearted and
close listed employees that which should have
been willingly given as right He did not
wish to see this weapon taken away from the
bread winners until that time should come
when they could get justice without it.
Mr. Scott of Clifton said, referring to the
claim of some that it " oud be unconstitutional
to include men in the legislation, said that he
was not a constitutional lawyer, but he had
some opinions of his own which were valua-
bile to him, Qaughter) and he thought that if
| the State had the power to say that a woman
| should not contract to work more than tw o
hours, it had the same power in regard to
rlen. He spoke in favor of the Heath bill.
in 50 far as it applies to men rs we'll AS women
and children.
Mr.. Horigan of Biddeford, referring to the
statement of the gentleman from Portland
that promises wore made before the last
election to enact a tenhour law, said he
would 60 one step farther and keep the prom
Uses then made by including men in the bill
to be enacted by the legislature. He came
as the representative of the second largest
cotton manufacturing city in the State, TO urge
upen gentlemen the passage of the bill sub
mitted by the minority. He believed not
only Biddeford, but every other manufactur.
ing town between York and Aroostook de-
sired it. He considered the passage of such
law an absolute necessity. because men
cannot work more than ten hours day and
live their allotted life. The surroundings
seizes him as the machine does the cotton
and saps his vitality as long as he possesses
ii. He wanted to know if it seemed reasona-
BILE that man who ought to know and love
and reverence his Creator should be obliged
to spend his time in work and sleep with no
opportunity to develop that mind and intel
lect which the Creator endowed him.
MIR. Alden of Winthrop did not see any
force in the objection to including men in
the operation of a en-hour law. For that
reason he opposed the Looney bill.
MIR. Randall of Augusta did not rise to sup
port either the Looney bill or the Heath bill
he simply spoke as representative of the
kennebec river manufacturing and saw mill
interests. In his mill they had voluntarily
| reduced the hours from 674 hours to 60
hours weekly. Other mills worked their
hands l l and IL hours a day. Necessarily as
a measure of defense they ought to do the
same. He therefore thought there ought to
be enacted some law that would be applicable
to the saw mills.
Mr.. Pattangall here (l23O o'clock) moved
to adjourn.
Mr.. Roberts of Brunswick moved that
wien the House adjourned it be to 80
| o'clock, and the motion was carried
On motion of Mr.. Shaw the matter of a ten
hour law was laid upon the table until the
afternoon.
Mr.. Engel wished to take up and consider
the reports of the Committee on Interior
Waters on the question of throwing refuse
into Damarscotta bay.
Mr.. PattaDRall of Pembroke therefore
withdrew his motion to adjourn.
Majority and minority reports of the Com
mittee o: Interior Waters reporting respect-
lively leave to withdraw and ought to pass on
petition and bill to prohibit throwing saw
dust and other refuse into Damariscotta bay.
Came up under special assignment.
Mr.. Poole of Boothbay moved to substitute
the acceptance of the minority report for that
OF the majority.
Mr.. York of Nobleboro made an eloquent